Services / Compliance Programs
SOC 2, PCI DSS and NIST Compliance Programs
Audit-ready compliance that does not shut down your product team. Scoped controls, evidence workflows, and a program that stays maintained after the auditor leaves.
Plan a Compliance Readiness AssessmentCompliance is a recurring cost, not a one-time project
The most common compliance failure is not failing an audit. It is passing the first one and then losing the program entirely within 12 months because the evidence-gathering process was manual, unsustainable, and owned by one person who left.
The goal of a 543HQ compliance engagement is not just to pass your current audit. It is to build a program your team can maintain with reasonable effort year over year, so renewals are a known, manageable cost rather than a recurring emergency.
Frameworks we work with
SOC 2
The standard your B2B customers will ask for. We scope the Trust Service Criteria to what you actually need, design controls that fit your stack, and build an evidence workflow that survives staff turnover.
Type I and Type II
PCI DSS
Required if you store, process, or transmit cardholder data. We scope your cardholder data environment, design the required controls, coordinate with your QSA, and help you maintain compliance after the ROC.
SAQ through Level 1 ROC
NIST CSF
A practical maturity model for companies that need to demonstrate security discipline without a formal audit requirement. Widely used by government contractors, healthcare organizations, and enterprises managing vendor risk.
CSF 1.1 and 2.0
What the engagement delivers
Scope and gap assessment
A clear picture of what is in scope, what controls already satisfy the requirement, and where the gaps are. Documented in a format auditors can use and your team can track.
Control design and ownership
Controls designed for how your company actually works, not copied from a generic template. Each control has a named owner, a testing cadence, and an evidence source.
Evidence workflow and audit readiness
A documented, repeatable process for collecting, organizing, and retaining the evidence your auditor will request. Built to survive staff changes and last beyond the current audit cycle.
Sustainable operating cadence
A calendar of recurring control activities, review cycles, and evidence collection tasks so your team knows what compliance looks like month to month, not just the week before the auditor arrives.
Who this is for
- +B2B SaaS companies whose customers are asking for a SOC 2 report
- +Fintech and payments companies that need PCI DSS compliance
- +Government contractors and vendors subject to NIST requirements
- +Companies that passed their last audit but lost the program in the year that followed
How it starts
A free readiness assessment call
We review your current state, identify the fastest path to audit readiness, and deliver a fixed-price proposal within 24 hours.
Book a Free CallCommon questions
How long does a SOC 2 Type II audit take?
A SOC 2 Type II audit covers a minimum observation period of six months. With preparation factored in, most companies take 9 to 12 months from program start to receiving the final report. The timeline depends heavily on how many controls already exist and how quickly gaps can be remediated.
What is the difference between SOC 2 and PCI DSS?
SOC 2 is a voluntary audit standard focused on how a service organization handles trust service criteria. PCI DSS is a mandatory standard for any organization that handles payment card data. Both require controls, evidence, and auditor review. Many companies need both.
Do I need SOC 2 if I am still a startup?
If your prospective enterprise customers are asking for it, yes. SOC 2 has become a common requirement in B2B security questionnaires and procurement processes. Starting early gives you a meaningful competitive advantage and avoids the scramble of trying to certify in 60 days when a deal depends on it.